Climate Change Declared Public Health Emergency in India by Dasra Report
- 1
A new report by Dasra identifies climate change as a significant public health emergency in India, altering disease patterns and stressing healthcare systems.
- 2
Nearly 40% of Indian districts face high risks from extreme weather events, leading to increased water-borne and vector-borne diseases.
- 3
Vulnerable groups, including rural populations, informal workers, women, and children, are disproportionately affected by climate-related health impacts.
- 4
India is responding with initiatives like the National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health and localized Heat Action Plans.
- ●The report 'Under the Weather: India’s Climate-Health Intersections and Pathways to Resilience' by Dasra highlights climate change as a major public health threat.
- ●Approximately 40% of India's districts are at high risk from extreme weather events, impacting health and livelihoods.
- ●Warmer temperatures are expanding the range of vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria to new regions, including parts of the Himalayas.
- ●Vulnerable communities, such as rural populations, informal workers, women, and children, experience the greatest health risks and are least equipped to cope.
Climate-Health Intersections and Health-Risk Multiplier
Climate-health intersections refer to the complex interplay where climate change directly and indirectly influences human health. This encompasses changes in disease epidemiology (e.g., vector-borne disease spread), impacts on food and water security, mental health, and the accessibility of healthcare services. The term 'health-risk multiplier' signifies that climate change does not merely introduce new health hazards but intensifies existing vulnerabilities and risks, thereby increasing the overall burden of disease and placing immense pressure on healthcare infrastructure and public health systems.
Simple Analogy: If a community already has weak foundations (existing health issues), climate change acts like a series of strong tremors (extreme weather), making the entire structure much more unstable and prone to collapse (multiplying health risks).
Dasra
A philanthropy fund organization that authored the 'Under the Weather: India’s Climate-Health Intersections and Pathways to Resilience' report.
National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health
To address the health impacts of climate change across India.
Key: Aims to integrate climate change considerations into health policies, research, and capacity building.
Heat Action Plans (HAPs)
To mitigate the adverse health effects of extreme heat events.
Key: Involve early warning systems, public awareness campaigns, and preparedness measures for heatwaves at local and state levels.
Exam Relevance
GS Paper 3: Environment & Ecology, Disaster Management, Health; GS Paper 2: Government Policies & Interventions, Vulnerable Sections.
General Awareness: Current Affairs, Environment, Health & Diseases.
General Awareness: Current Affairs, Economy (impacts), Social Issues.
General Awareness: Current Affairs, Science (diseases), Environment.
General Awareness: Current Affairs, National Security (broader implications), Environment.
Previously Asked (PYQs)
"Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now" is an initiative launched by
Answer: The UNFCCC Secretariat
Each day is more or less the same, the morning is clear and bright with a sea breeze; as the Sun climbs high in the sky, heat mounts up, dark clouds form, then rain comes with thunder and lightning. But rain is soon over. Which of the following regions is described in the above passage?
Answer: Equatorial
The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of
Answer: Monsoon climate
Expected Questions
- ★UPSC Mains: 'Discuss how climate change acts as a 'health-risk multiplier' in India, particularly for vulnerable communities. What policy interventions are needed to build resilience?'
- ★UPSC Prelims: 'Consider the following statements regarding the 'Under the Weather' report by Dasra...' (Statement-based MCQs)
- ★SSC/Banking: 'Which of the following is a key feature of India's Heat Action Plans (HAPs)?' (Direct factual)
- ★Railway/Defence: 'Which vector-borne disease is mentioned as spreading to new regions like Shimla due to climate change?' (Factual)
Topic Frequency
High - Climate change and its multi-sectoral impacts are consistently high-frequency topics across all competitive exams.
Key Terms
Infections transmitted by the bite of infected arthropod vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, or fleas (e.g., dengue, malaria).
Chronic diseases that are not transmitted from person to person, such as cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and diabetes.
Local or state-level strategies designed to protect populations from the health impacts of extreme heat, including early warning systems and preparedness measures.
Must Remember
- •Climate change is a 'health-risk multiplier' in India, as per the Dasra report.
- •Key vulnerable groups: rural populations, informal workers, women, and children.
- •Impacts include spread of vector-borne diseases, increased NCDs, and strain on healthcare.
- •Important initiatives: National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health, Heat Action Plans.
Exam Tips
- •Focus on specific impacts (disease types, vulnerable groups, economic costs) and the names of key reports/initiatives.
- •Understand the conceptual links between climate change, health, and socio-economic factors.
- •Be prepared for questions that require analytical understanding rather than mere recall, especially for UPSC.